High-Temporal Resolution Observations of a Tornadic Supercell near Cole, Oklahoma on 19 April 2023

On 19 – 20 April 2023, 18 tornadoes impacted central Oklahoma, including an EF-3 tornado that affected Cole, Oklahoma. The PX-1000, an X-band polarimetric radar, collected rapid sequences (every 20 s) of plan-position indicator (PPI) scans at two elevations until 0030 UTC. These PPI scans documented the full lifecycle of an EF-1 tornado near Dibble, Oklahoma that preceded the Cole, Oklahoma tornado, as well as tornadogenesis of the Cole EF-3 tornado. After 0030 UTC, the radar was operated in a fixed RHI mode and collected RHIs every 10 s as the supercell and tornado passed north of the radar. For a period of 2 to 3 min, the tornado’s track and motion aligned closely with the PX-1000 RHI plane. Preliminary analysis of the PX-1000 data set will be presented, including discussion of mesocyclone and polarimetric signature evolution prior to tornadogenesis of the Cole EF-3 tornado. The vertical structure and evolution of the hook echo and tornado will be presented, focusing on times where the tornado tracked along the RHI plane.